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Webster 1913 Edition

Venial

Ve′ni-al

,
Adj.
[OF.
venial
, F.
véniel
, L.
venialis
, from
venia
forgiveness, pardon, grace, favor, kindness; akin to
venerari
to venerate. See
Venerate
.]
1.
Capable of being forgiven; not heinous; excusable; pardonable;
as, a
venial
fault or transgression
.
So they do nothing, ’t is a
venial
slip.
Shakespeare
2.
Allowed; permitted.
[Obs.]
“Permitting him the while venial discourse unblamed.”
Milton.
Venial sin
(R. C. Theol.)
,
a sin which weakens, but does not wholly destroy, sanctifying grace, as do mortal, or deadly, sins.
–
Ve′ni-al-ly
,
adv.
–
Ve′ni-al-ness
,
Noun.
Bp. Hall.

Webster 1828 Edition

Venial

VE'NIAL

,
Adj.
[L. venia, pardon, leave to depart, from the root of venio, and signifying literally a going or passing.]
1.
That may be forgiven; pardonable; as a venial fault or transgression. The reformed churches hold all sins to be venial, through the merits of the Redeemer; but the most trifling sins not to be venial, except through the righteousness and atonement of Christ.
2.
In familiar language, excusable; that may be allowed or permitted to pass without censure; as a venial slip or fault.
3.
Allowed.
Permitting him the while venial discourse unblam'd.

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